9 Under-the-Radar Trader Joes Products to Add to Your Cart ASAP
Trader Joes is our go-to source for literally everything, from last-minute appetizers to eco-friendly cleaning supplies to holiday decorations. But without an online roster of all of its glorious productsand the fact that it is always adding new and seasonal itemsits hard to know exactly whats available. And unless you taste-test the entire store (and trust us, weve been trying for years), you probably never will.
Never fear, theres a cure for shopping-list FOMO: We scoured the Internet for the very best Trader Joes recommendations and came up with, well, a lot. From employee favorites to the most-reviewed products online, here are nine under-the-radar items you should snap up at everyones favorite grocery store.
Raw Chicken Shawarma
According to Collin Fields, vice president of merchandising in the Trader Joes Boston office, this is the one product that will quickly become a staple in your kitchenparticularly for quick weeknight dinners. My wife and I cook it every week, he says. We got our kids to eat it, too, which is saying a lot! And we usually add it to one of our salad kits.
Cauliflower Jalapeo Dip
If youre looking for an easy app (especially in anticipation of the Super Bowl), try the Cauliflower Jalapeo Dip. This rec comes courtesy of Ed Seeker, executive vice president of stores on the Eastern seaboard: I dont know where its been all my life, but I finally found it. It was good. Try it with baked pita chips to cut down on the spice.
Chicken Soup Dumplings
A consistent favorite on Reddit (seriouslypretty much every Trader Joesrelated thread includes numerous customers raving about this product), these soup dumplings make a perfect hearty winter meal. They even won the respect of food writer and James Beard Award nominee Kevin Pang, who wrote an ode to these little pockets for The Takeout. Its, shock of shocks, an honest-to-goodness decent soup dumpling from your microwave, he said. Well take it.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
Recently relaunched in mini form, the newly updated Vegetable Samosas are crispy delights that you simply pop in the oven for a few minutes before serving up as an easy appetizer. According to various Reddit users, theyre a staple for vegetarian Trader Joes lovers. Just be sure to keep some sour cream on hand for dipping if you dont have a high tolerance for spice.
Joe Joes Slims
One of the stores newest products (recently raved about on the Trader Joes podcast) is one the company rolled out for the holidaysand heres hoping it sticks around for the New Year. Joe Joes Slims are sandwich cookies comparable to Oreo Slims, but at a fraction of the price (these cost around $1.99, depending on prices at your local Trader Joes). Plus, theyre a thinner version of the beloved Joe Joe cookie, so you wont feel guilty eating them in bulk.
Chianti Red Wine Artisan Salami
This reasonably affordable, flavor-packed gem of a charcuterie staple is infused with Chianti wine for an extra kickand its an essential part of any cheese board. Per Mark Steuer, a chef at Chicagos Bavarian beer hall Funkenhausen, its one of the most underrated products at Trader Joes. I love the Chianti salami, he wrrote in a piece for Thrillist. Its just as good as [salami] you find at other grocery stores for three to four times the price.
Manchego Anejo
A universal favorite from the Trader Joes cheese section, this particular Manchego is aged for 12 months to reach peak flavorif you only try one cheese from the store, it should be this guy. Pair it with a Sauvignon Blanc and some crackers and fruit for a light dinner or easy aperitivo. One Reddit user has a go-to method that elevates the cheese even further: Take Manchego, add quince paste, and profit. Duly noted.
Coconut Aminos
You might not think to hit up Trader Joes for this item, but according to a Domino editor, its a must-try. This is my secret ingredient in most foods I make at homeits great on tofu, chicken, and veggie stir-frys, she says. Its almost 50 percent cheaper at TJs than anywhere else. Versatile and affordable (as well as being a great seasoning option for Paleo cooks), it deserves a spot in your condiment cabinet.
Photography by Cody Guilfoyle
Strawberry Icelandic Yogurt
A Trader Joes crew favorite (I cant stop eating it. Its so addicting, said one employee in a podcast episode), this healthy yogurt somehow manages to taste like a decadent treat. Its thick and creamy, with 20 grams of protein per servingand best of all, its an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
See more Trader Joes tips:
Look Out for These New Trader Joes Products
16 Trader Joes Secrets That Will Change the Way You Shop
The 9 Things We Always Buy at Trader Joes